A trip around the world!

Today was the HVCS World's Fair, a day where all of our classes come together to share what we've learned about our assigned country or continent! It's always so much fun to tour the world -- we enjoy seeing the classroom decorations, looking at artwork or costumes, and hearing interesting things about each place.

Here are some photos (well, actually a lot) of K3's trip around the world! First up was Australia!

Learning from the Aussie second-graders.

Examining models of Australian animals.

Learning about Australian geography.

In Africa, we played the drums ...

... stamped hieroglyphics ...

... and went on a safari, searching for animals. We found giraffes, snakes, tigers, and birds!

After our safari, these kiddos felt like being snakes!

In Asia, we saw different costumes and heard a snake-charmer song!

The children loved seeing this fifth-grader demonstrate Asian martial arts.

We got to play with this origami bird!

Learning about Europe on a map.

Listening to some Spanish guitar music was really cool!

Where else can you have your picture taken with the Queen of England?!?

Mrs. Carlone shares about her native land, Puerto Rico!

In Puerto Rico, we learned what an island is, and we got to play traditional instruments. After this particular lesson, one of our boys whispered to me, "Jimmy Buffet lives on an island!" Ha ha! 

We also visited Central and South America, as well as the good old USA! What a fun, educational day!

Dress-up

I was all set to do a post today about some of our water activities, but when an impromptu dress-up party breaks out, you just have to sort of go with it! :)

Aren't these the cutest little animals, princesses, and ... um ... other things ... you've ever seen??

Princess northern lights - ??

Yesterday we introduced the students to the northern lights, which are common in the northern parts of Canada. When we taught them the "proper" name for them -- the aurora borealis -- many of the girls looked confused and wondered where the princess was! We love watching their minds make connections like this, even if it seems completely random at times!

We visited the computer lab, where we watched a video of the northern lights on the Promethean board. Then we headed back to our classroom for a special northern lights art project. We began by coloring with markers on a large coffee filter.

Next came the fun part! We sprayed the filters with water and watched the colors blend together!

The finished products:

Mounted against black paper to represent the night sky, with a few silver stars hand-drawn in between, we think our northern lights art turned out beautifully!

Pink Day!!!

Thanks to all who wore pink today in support of Emily's Power for a Cure! Hickory Valley Christian School raised more than $800 for this wonderful local foundation!!! Look for a big school-wide photo in the East Brainerd Community News within the next few weeks; meanwhile, here's our attempt at just a K3 group shot! :)

Scenes from our Valentine's party

WARNING: Photo overload! :) 

Since last week's Valentine's Day party was snowed out, we celebrated today!

The kids were very excited to pretend to be doggies at our Clifford-themed party!

We even had a special friend - one of our former students - visit us today!

Dog bowls and Clifford items decorated the tables.

The kids really got into the act of eating out of their bowls like doggies.

Mrs. Connie and Mrs. LeeAnne would like to apologize for any mealtime antics
the children may bring home! 

Even Pastor Gary from HVCC got in on the act! :)

Besides "puppy chow," we enjoyed fruit, cheese, and donuts! 

All of our precious kiddos love each other!

After eating our snacks, the students had a great time donning their Clifford ears and playing inside our doghouse.

The Grand Finale of our party was a treasure hunt! The students had to find pink or red plastic hearts; inside each heart was a picture of something familiar at our school. They followed the trail indoors and outside, and at the end they were all rewarded with a special prize!

The treasure hunt began at the big rocking chair inside our classroom.

Where should we go next?

Opening the clue on the porch steps of K-4.

A few clues were outside on the playground!

Each child got a chance to open and decipher one clue.

We ended up in Mrs. Esther's office, where we found stuffed red dogs for everyone!

Finally we exchanged our personal valentines.

Happy Valentine's Day! Remember that "We love because God first loved us" (I John 4:19) and that we are commanded to "Love each other as I [Christ] have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15: 12-13). Go and spread some love today!